My Pure·Current Feelings on 48G

With my oshi Shimada Rena’s (Shimarena) graduation coming soon, I felt like updating this blog once again. Probably just some more quick thoughts on my current 48g fandom state.

• I’m currently on a Twitter and Tumblr hiatus due to Lent. The absence of both makes me realize how much I enjoy being part of the international NMB fandom and how I miss talking to other NMB fans about the group. I’d like to think I made a lot of online friends thanks to being part of the NMB fandom and I’m extremely grateful for that.
• I still don’t like the whole grand reformation and I wish NMB was never shuffled. The “old” NMB teams were perfect as they were.
• With the closure of my favorite 48 forum Everyday48, I’m still unsure if I’ll ever be active on a 48g forum again. I’ve occasionally visited Stage48 and I’m reminded of the good (and bad) times I’ve had there. But I still haven’t felt the urge to be anything more than a lurker there for the time being.
• Nogizaka46 is on a roll. All the Nogizaka girls are so interesting and amazing and lately, I think the group has had the best music out of all the 48 groups. Out of the recent batch of 48g releases this last month, Nogizaka46’s Kizuitara Kataomoi is easily the best single. Also, it’s just absolutely fun following the group. It doesn’t feel like a hassle or annoyance like it does sometimes following AKB.
• I’m starting to get into some non-48 idol groups. Thanks to the urging of people, I’ve ever so slowly gotten interested into Passpo, Super Girls, and GEM. And I’m hoping to find even more idols to enjoy.
• Thanks for being the best oshi a fan could ask for, Shimarena. Wish you nothing but the best in your post-NMB life.

My Pure·Delight – Oide Shampoo/Soredemo Suki da yo 1st Day Sales

The first day sales figures are in for the long-awaited battle between Nogizaka46’s 2nd single Oide Shampoo and Sashihara Rino’s (Sasshi) debut solo single Soredemo Suki da yo. Nogizaka46 came out in 1st place for the day with 111,222 copies sold. Sasshi finished the day in 2nd place with 56,789 copies sold.

Really impressed with the sales numbers for both Nogizaka46 and Sasshi. I think the huge promotion of the Nogizaka46/Sasshi feud worked out really well. I know some people feel that this result is a disappointment for Sasshi, but the 56,789 copies sold is more than the 1st day sales of Itano Tomomi’s (Tomochin) last two singles and Watanabe Mayu (Mayuyu) debut single. And with the AKB election coming up, I think Sasshi’s fans might have been saving up their money to vote for her. And I think the result is more about how Nogizaka46 is gaining a lot of popularity and I’m happy to see it. A really nice increase from the 1st day sales of Guruguru Curtain. Let’s see how the sales numbers for the rest of the week come out.

My Pure·Thoughts – Guuzen wo Iiwake ni Shite

It’s a few days old now, but I can’t stop watching the performance of Guuzen wo Iiwake ni Shite from the episode of Nogizakatte, Doko? this week. Nogizaka46’s 2nd single is releasing soon and one of the coupling songs will be performed by what looks like could be Nogizaka46’s first sub-unit. The group of four is made up Shiraishi Mai (Maiyan), Matsumura Sayuri (Sayurin), Hashimoto Nanami (Nanami), and Takayama Kazumi (Kazumin). I know the song itself definitely won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but Guuzen wo Iiwake ni Shite has a nice electric pop feel that’s right to my liking. And while the performance doesn’t have any complicated or big action dance moves, I actually like the small and simple hand gestures and whatnot. Maybe it’s just me, but I find a certain elegance in the slight movements of the dance sequence.

And no surprise, I have a weakness for really cute girls. Having four of my favorite Nogizaka46 girls in a sub-unit just makes me extremely happy.

Guuzen wo Iiwake ni Shite will be a coupling song on Nogizaka46’s 2nd single Oide Shampoo. The single releases on May 2th.

My Pure·Thoughts – Ushinaitakunai kara PV

I’m still trying to learn more about the individual members of Nogizaka46 as I’m becoming more and more fascinated in Nogizaka46 the more I see of them. They have that certain charm that draws me in to watching the group. My really short review of Nogizaka46’s Ushinaitakunai kara PV: the girls are simply adorable in their ballet-like dance dresses, the song sounds lovely, and the inside look at their dancing and other backstage activities were touching to see. What’s not to love about this PV? Everything about the PV just clicks for me.

My Pure·Thoughts – Aitakatta Kamoshirenai PV

Haven’t had a lot of leisure time lately, but whenever I have free time, I’ve been listening to Aitakatta Kamoshirenai, Nogizaka46’s version of Aitakatta, quite a lot. The PV has leaked and it definitely should look familiar to AKB fans.

My Pure·Viewing of Nogizakatte, Doko? Episode 2

Really late in watching this, but I got around to watching more of Nogizakatte, Doko?, Nogizaka46‘s TV show. In episode 2, we see the creation of Nogizaka46’s version of Kami7 and they decide some of the girls’ catchphrases.

My Pure·Viewing of Nogizakatte, Doko? Episode 1

The first episode of Nogizaka46’s first television show Nogizakatte, Doko? aired yesterday. Nogizaka46 was the idol group created to be AKB48’s rivals. I’m not sure if they will ever get close to that, but based on one episode, I feel optimistic about the future of Nogizaka46.